2012-05-17

This is exactly what happens when people allocate money for a "purpose" without understanding the true needs. Here we are, delivering a truly needed value to libraries with the critical technology to keep the operations flowing, fighting to save every penny, while some bureaucrats decide where the real money flows.

2012-04-22

Is this cool or what? Instead of spending thousands of dollars on Meganite surface circulation desk tops, libraries should spend on stuff like this, I think. Will certainly encourage people to come to the library :) Don't you think?

2012-04-16

Library Discuss DVD Thefts

We all know it, we all see it, but few want to admit to it - its going on everyday. With tools like Craigslist and Ebay, there are countless of these small "enterprises" that use the library DVD collection as a free supplier of content to sell. Ingenuity or theft, in either case, the library looses ... and we sell more Cubes :)

2012-04-02

I had a conversation with someone from NY area library at the recent PLA show, and these are her exact words:

"Our customers still find ways of stealing. They tear out the RFID tags and walk out with our material. We loose many of our DVDs that way. "

Is this really true? Is it this easy to tear those things off, or do they just simply break them? We know from experience that many have quite a few "choice words" to say about the disappointment with RFID especially when it comes to security, but I just didn't think people would actually remove the tags (its just as easy to shield it with foil).

2010-03-16

SOMERDALE, NJ, March 12, 2010: Library Automation Technologies, Inc. (LAT), a leader in library automation products, is pleased to announce the release into production of the next generation model of its popular allCIRC™ system, the allCIRC-X™, that combines 100% media theft security with complete load / unload patron self-service and a full-featured book self-check in a smaller portable footprint with greater capacity, significantly faster throughput, higher value and new features.

Building on knowledge and feedback of a number of existing installations throughout the country, allCIRC-X™ redefines the self-service concept by creating a one-stop self-service station for all materials in the library – “It’s a circ-desk in a box.” commented Mandi Bottle, a Circulation Desk Manager.

Fully ADA Compliant, the allCIRC-X™ provides a secure CD/DVD/BluRay dispensing and book self-check as well as patron media loading capability all in one ultra compact, fast system. Staff involvement is minimized as patrons themselves can now also easily and securely load the checked out items directly into allCIRC-X™ upon their return back into the library.

“From the ground-up, we have fully redesigned our approach to self service to create a fully ADA compliant system that not only eliminates the need for libraries to spend money on security, but also allows patrons to load items back in, thereby fully eliminating extra staff involvement in self-service process. Simply drop the disk into the machine and that’s all – anyone can do it.” commented Oleg Boyarsky, President and CEO of LAT. “In today’s hard economy allCIRC-X provides an unprecedented value proposition for libraries, because it eliminates the need to spend already limited resources for media security and handling, while simultaneously providing 100% theft protection for most prized media collections.”

The size of a small desk, allCIRC-X measures 33”x20”x34” and offers a totally “fluid” component placement, so that the library can position the machine in any orinentation and still have a completely ergonomically pleasing environment. With an included Meganite® top and Apple®-like translucent plastic sides, the machine loads and dispenses disks through a single slot, thereby allowing anyone to simply “take” or “drop-in” media.

Costing less than a typical book self-check, allCIRC-X will be exhibited at the PLA Conference in Portland, Oregon at the LAT’s booth #: 1400 Additional features and capabilities are described at: www.allCIRC.com

For more information about all of LAT's technologies and products, jump to: www.LATcorp.com

2010-02-14

... Shouldn't we do that for all equipment that is designed for public use? At LAT we have spent $1000s to make sure that all of our products, and especially the upcoming allCIRC, fully comply to ADA standards and don't discriminate against users with disabilities; others, would rather spend more on an extra RFID tag :)

2010-01-29

I was handed this fictional memoir, by someone I trust to provide quality literary experiences- he assured me of its solid storytelling, and richness of content.

For me, prior to being handed this book, Muriel Spark really brought two things to mind: lighting cigars, (get it?) and books like Please Don't Eat the Daisies , which in reality share nothing with her.I had no idea.

In his book, Rotten: No Irish No Blacks No Dogs, one finds out just how literary minded John Lydon is and how he was a fan of lots of great literature (Graham Greene's work springs to mind)... I was shocked when preparing to write this that Muriel Spark's Book The Public Image was where Lydon got the name for PiL. Had I not read his book I never would've guessed it but my suspicions were piqued when reviewing Spark's body of work.

In A Far Cry From Kensington, one gets an accurate portrait of post-war London life, with cramped and damp, recession and thrift, and during the progression of the book it's subsequent awakening from its 6 year nightmare.

Being an Anglophile I might've been satisfied with that and would have been polite about it, but disappointed with its lack of plot arrow.

The plot arrow is large and sharp and accurate: An overweight widow in a boarding house and works at a publisher, insults a literary world hanger-on, which in subsequent years, leads to adverse circumstances over and over again for her, all the while reaffirming her belief that the pisseur de copie "pisser or copy" is just what he is, an opportunistic second banana with no moral compunction about exploitation of personal relationships, and it being a small world, capable of infecting more than just the working world of Spark's protagonist, Mrs. Hawkins.

As A Far Cry From Kensington progresses, Mrs. Hawkins loses the insulation she grew during the war; both emotionally and physically- it falls away in the form of weight loss, the loss as allegory for her maturation, as evidenced by her questioning her faith, learning to stand firm when challenged about her interpersonal convictions and rising to the occasion when called upon by her neighbors who have revealed formerly private crises, that stemmed from character flaws that Mrs Hawkins shows us without a word of avarice, only predictive empathy, from someone who by virtue of being a war-widow, feels it necessary to conduct oneself with more maturity than others of her age.

I've hit the spoiler wall; let me just say within all the wool and teacups and rugs and wallpaper there's crazies, death, fist-fighting, insults, medical emergencies, injustice, karma, foreigners, revenge, hoodoo and more. A perfect mix of atmosphere and activity for anyone looking to read outside of genre.

It was also surprising for me, because I thought she was a 1940's & 50's writer (like I said I didn't know anything about her - just the name) - her style in this book doesn't give away that it was written 1988. Her arc runs from Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1961 to 2004's The Finishing School.

I suppose that since I'm a PiL fan I'll read The Public Image next and see what more she has to offer.

2009-12-11

LAT’s keywords are Flexibility – Innovation – Collaboration. But without the outer two, we can’t get to the inner one – innovation. So while we are always saying that “Librarians design our equipment!” by virtue of the fact that their observation of technology in that real-world environment cannot be replicated in our labs (and boy, do we try!), we still tend to be amazed what does present itself in the real world some time.

Phone boxes are being decommissioned all over the UK and a library in Somerset, Westbury-sub-Mendip, has decided to turn one into a 24/7/365 self service lending library! Come in, all one of you, take a book, and return it whenever you like.

Wait a minute…. Did we say “real world? When you think about it, it'd be a great way to sort of float your weeds for a while.....

2009-06-18

Lex11 (Steve) has done it again, first my Dad farting and now:Producer of Life Behind Beards. A half hour documentary detailing one man's journey, along with a coterie of colorful (and hairy) companions in his quest to have the best beard competition NYC's money can buy. Humorous, but also insightful as to the attachment and emotion that serious beard growers develop. Available soon at the www.lifebehindbeards.com site, you can view the first trailer below: (More trailers soon.)

2009-04-20

To me, the more I travel and speak to libraries about RFID, the good, the bad and the reality of it, the more I begin to compare RFID in libraries to smoking. Let me explain. When I was young, "smoking" was explained to me as a response to social awkwardness in kids - that is, this was something to do with your hands, and you looked cool doing it. As I got older in high-school, "smoking" was akin to fitting in..."everyone is doing it, you should too". As I progressed towards adulthood I saw smoking for what it really was, an addiction that does provide some momentary gratification, but at a huge cost to your family and your well-being.

I see the same trend towards RFID in libraries as when I was young. It has that "cool" effect, with very little substance, yet it does give this appeal to libraries that gives an apperance they are doing something worthwhile. How else can you spend that "efficiency grant" money, or your "friends" money - on traditional self-checks, or on this new, cool thing called "RFID". Its a four letter acronym, it sounds high-tech, it must be good.

According to 3M, only 2% of libraries in the US use RFID, and 8% worldwide! Yet, you hear about it all the time.

YET...virtually every library that talks RFID, has very little understanding of its complexities, benefits, true costs, problems, future support and a myriad of other key questions. When I was attending U of P, one of the first questions you were are asked at Wharton was "What is the ROI?" Well, if someone has it related to RFID in libraries, please, please let me know before I light up :)

Disclaimer: Running a successful business supplying various technologies to libraries, I would like to emphasize right away, that as a vendor, we love to sell you anything RFID related, such as gates, tags, readers, software, staff-stations, self-checks...etc., anything. Talk to us about a full array of RFID enabled products and services that we offer should you ever decide to move towards that direction.

2009-03-27

Library Automation Technologies, Inc. (LAT), a leader in library automation products, is pleased to announce it will be exhibiting at the Texas Library Associations Annual Conference (TLA) at George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston on April 1-3.

LAT will be demonstrating the ultra-small MAXine™ Self Checkout System which will be setup for hands-on demonstrations.

2009-03-26

Library Automation Technologies, Inc. (LAT), a leader in library automation products, is pleased to announce it has completed the phase-one rollout plan for the San Diego Public Library, which encompassed over 36 machines in 18 branches.

The operation and patron interface were customized to meet the library system’s requirements while the physical looks were modified with custom table tops to match the library’s décor. The installed machines provide an easy, seamless and integrated environment for both patrons and staff.

Oleg Boyarsky, President and CEO of LAT commented, "San Diego Public Library is a unique customer who understands both the value and need of self-service in the library, as well as the patron’s desire for an easy-to-use system that simply works, and works simply. Using interchangeable portable and floor-standing models as needed, with identical user interfaces and Corean® tops, made units fit right in and they have been easily accepted.”

As Brian Ruark, a Technical Resource Program Manager for The City of San Diego’s Public Library commented: ”We like the simplicity and reliability of the LAT self-service machines. Patron usage continues to grow as they become used to the technology and as we refine how to best present the technology. LAT has been very innovative, making improvements based on our suggestions. They have also been responsive and quick to resolve any technical problems. “

LAT-Max™, LAT-MAXine™ and LAT-MAXwell™ is a family of self-service machines for libraries based on FlashScan™ technology. By providing multiple form-factors, such as desktop, floor-standing, kiosk and even wall-mount, all with the same patron interface and multiple finishes, the machines allow libraries to take advantage of the modern self-service technology regardless of their physical space constraints. Coupled with an array of impressive features and capabilities, such as on-demand, field-upgradable RFID capability, desensitization support, wireless networking, included multi-language support, as well as over 400+ features and settings, these machines are installed in hundreds of libraries worldwide and have gained a solid, industry leading reputation for value.

For more information about LAT's technology and all library products, jump to: www.LATcorp.com.

2009-01-05

County's libraries to expand system

SAN DIEGO — Self-checkout machines, which have become common in retail stores such as Home Depot, are also popping up in a growing number of public libraries throughout the county.

The city and the county of San Diego will expand their self-checkout programs at public libraries in 2009 at a time when they are coping with increasing demand but flat or declining budgets for staffing.

The county, which has 33 branches, has 26 self-checkout machines at 14 locations. In the next few years, it plans to expand the technology to 10 more locations.

The city, which has 36 library branches, has 37 self-checkout machines at 19 sites. It plans to have 49 machines at 22 locations by June. Among the new locations is the Logan Heights branch opening in the fall.

In some county libraries, such as the 4S Ranch and Rancho San Diego branches, as much as 80 percent of the materials checked out are handled by patrons themselves.

In some city libraries, such as North University and the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa branches, self-checkouts approach 70 percent of the circulation.

Jennifer Holland, who uses the Serra Mesa-Kearny Mesa branch, finds the self-checkout machines easy to use. Plus, she likes the fact that there is no line to use them.

“I've never had a problem,” she said.

The self-checkout machines are stationed near the staffed counter so if problems arise, patrons can get help right away.

Patrons scan their library card, then scan the bar code on the books.

The machines give voice prompts and print out a receipt with the due dates and the titles. The touch screen can provide directions in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Vietnamese.

Jane Pisor, who has used the self-checkouts at city and county libraries, said they are easy to use, but she likes interacting with library workers at the checkout counters.

“I like the personal touch,” she said.

The city pays about $12,300 per machine. The county uses a different vendor and pays about $15,000 each.

County library director Jose Aponte said the self-checkout machines have worked out “swimmingly” and have helped the county handle huge increases in circulation with level funding and staffing. The annual number of items checked out at county libraries jumped from 4 million three years ago to more than 6.6 million this past year.

“Clearly, without technology, we would have been making cutbacks already,” he said. “I am very optimistic the technology will help us through some pretty challenging times.”

Aponte said when workers are freed up from the “drudgery of much of the day-to-day checking in and out books,” they have time to work on more meaningful programs, such as book clubs and children's activities.

Bruce Johnson, deputy director of the central division of the San Diego Public Library, also credits self-checkouts for improved operations. “Many users like a more self-directed approach. This helps them,” he said. “It helps us manage future increases in circulation. As branches become busier and circulation goes up, we are better equipped to manage the increase without necessarily adding clerical staff.”

An added benefit, Johnson said, is that patrons gain a measure of privacy by checking out their own books or DVDs.